I’ve spent forever searching for the perfect pumpkin spice coffee creamer, and I finally ended up just making one myself! I don’t really go out for coffee that often and usually end up making some at home each morning. I still wanted a way to enjoy the seasonal drinks like fall pumpkin drinks without having to keep the store bought kind in stock (they taste like chemicals anyways!)
This is the perfect recipe, and it only takes 4 ingredients! I was able to whip up a batch in under 5 minutes and it couldn’t be easier. As far as taste goes, it genuinely tastes like fall in a cup. Cliche, I know, but it’s true! It’s creamy without being too thick and the pumpkin pie spice gives it flavor without overpowering everything. And like I mentioned above, it doesn’t have that weird chemical-y taste that some artificial creamers tend to have.
In other words, it takes less than five minutes and it tastes better than the store bought versions. That’s the kind of homemade fall drink I love.
Ingredients You Need
One of my favorite things about this pumpkin spice coffee creamer recipe is how easy it is… and customizable! It only takes a handful of ingredients, all of which you probably already have lying around in the kitchen, and you can add as little or as much as you want. Here’s what the recipe includes:
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: This is where most of that classic fall flavor comes from. For convenience, you can just grab a pre-made pumpkin spice from the grocery store. But if you already have a classic pumpkin pie spice blend that you’ve already made and loved, you could use that, too!
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the creamer while adding a little more depth than regular white sugar. I use ½ cup, but you can always adjust it depending on how sweet you like your coffee.
- Pumpkin purée: Personally, I prefer the 100% pumpkin purée over pumpkin pie filling. They look extremely similar or the shelf, but pumpkin pie filling already has all the sugar and spices added to it. Pumpkin purée gives you the actual pumpkin flavor while letting you control the sweetness and spice yourself.
- Half and Half: This gives the creamer that rich, creamy consistency without making it as heavy as using all heavy cream. You can use store-bought half-and-half or make your own with equal parts milk and heavy cream.
- Optional Vanilla Extract: If you want a little extra sweetness without vanilla totally overpowering the pumpkin, add a couple drops of vanilla extract into your creamer. (And when I say a couple, I genuinely mean a couple.) It gives you that cozy vanilla pumpkin flavor that just screams fall!
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
- 2 cups half & half (or 1 cup milk, 1 cup heavy cream)
- Optional: vanilla extract
Directions
1. Mix together pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat
2. Add pumpkin purée and whisk until smooth
3. Switch to low and slowly whisk in half & half until fully blended
4. Let cool and store in an airtight container
5. Serve creamer with coffee like you normally would and enjoy!
Related: Hot Chocolate with Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream
How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer
I’ll be honest here: homemade creamer doesn’t last as long as store-bought creamer. But that’s totally normal (and expected)! We’re skipping out on things like stabilizers, preservatives, and, of course, the ultra-high temperature processing. But even though it won’t last as long, storing it the right way still really matters.
Like I mentioned earlier, you’ll want to keep it in an airtight container. Not only does this protect the creamer from airborne bacteria, but it also just slows down how quickly it can spoil. And here’s a fun fact: dairy can absorb other smells from the refrigerator! So if you have any veggies or leftovers sitting in the fridge? Not putting your diary-based creamer in an airtight container puts it at risk for tasting like the leftover garlic you were saving for tonight’s dinner.
If you place it in the fridge, it usually lasts up to 1 week in a sealed jar. Within those 7 days, you may notice that ingredients start to settle at the bottom or separate. Also completely normal, and it doesn’t change the flavor. Just give it a good shake before using so everything mixes up evenly again.
You can freeze your homemade pumpkin spice creamer to keep it for longer (from 1-3 months), but it’s important to note that it can separate, change texture, or taste a little watered down. If you want to try it out before placing your entire jar in the fridge, place a small amount into an ice cube tray and try it the next time you make coffee.
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t get me wrong, I love the convenience of a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte as much as the next person. (You have to get it at least once during fall, right?) But the best part about making creamer at home is how much you can customize it. Whether you’re looking for a dairy-free option, less refined sugar, or just a different texture and taste, there are plenty of ways to make this creamer recipe your own.
Let’s start with the basics: dairy. If you’re not a fan of whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream, you absolutely don’t have to use any of it. You can substitute with coconut milk, oat milk, or even almond milk. It may change the flavor slightly, but if you’re substituting with your usual go-to milk choice, chances are it’ll taste exactly as you hope.
Not a fan of the refined sugars? Not a problem. There’s a super easy way to swap out the brown sugar for something that won’t change the flavor, texture, or honestly, the taste: maple syrup. This can actually be a great alternative for someone look for a minimally processed sweetener that also includes minerals and antioxidants. (I know, it shocked me too.)
And finally, you can make the creamer without pumpkin puree if it’s not something you want. It may not have as much pumpkin flavor or that thicker, creamier texture, but the pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and maple syrup still give it that cozy fall flavor you were searching for.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte with This Creamer
We’ve talked about the recipe, alternatives to the recipe, and how to store the leftover creamer you make. But we’re missing one thing… How to actually make the coffee! Here’s my thing: coffee orders are personal, right? Some people like a super traditional, bold flavor. Others lean all into the fall spirit with pumpkin-flavored roasts or cinnamon-inspired notes.
In this case, here’s a quick fall-inspired coffee recipe using the homemade pumpkin spice creamer from above:
- Step 1: Pick a fall-flavored coffee. Think: cinnamon dolce, pumpkin spice, maple cinnamon, salted caramel, apple cinnamon, honey cinnamon, pecan pie… Need I go on? Pick a roast that’s equal parts warm, spicy, and sweet.
- Step 2: Follow the homemade pumpkin spice creamer recipe from above. You can really make it whenever, but in this case, we’re making it as the coffee brews so it’s frothy, creamy, and fresh.
- Step 3: Totally optional, but on the days I want something a little sweeter, I add a maple syrup drizzle around the cup. This way, it melts as I pour the coffee in and adds the perfect touch of fall flavor.
- Step 4: Once your coffee is ready, pour enough into your cup to fill it 3/4ths of the way. If you like your coffee a little stronger, pour a little more. If you like your coffee a little sweeter, pour a little less.
- Step 5: Fill the rest of your cup up with the homemade pumpkin spice creamer. Make sure to taste it to double check your unique ratio!
And voila, you have the perfect homemade pumpkin spice latte. If you’re anything like me, you’ll also add a little bit of whip cream and top it with cinnamon (or a maple syrup drizzle!). Not required, but definitely delicious.
Can You Give Homemade Coffee Creamer as a Gift?
Absolutely! And honestly, for any coffee lover in your life, it’s actually a really good gift. If you plan to do this though, there’s a few do’s and dont’s worth covering.
First, always place it into a sealed, airtight jar, just like I mentioned earlier. This keeps it fresh for as long as possible. Second, don’t make it too far ahead. Because it’s not a gift that will take a long time to make (like baking or cooking might), this isn’t something you really even have to make ahead at all. If you’re handing it off as a gift, I recommend making it the morning you plan to give it to someone. This way it isn’t sitting for too long and it doesn’t cut down how long they can keep it and use it.
Finally, make sure to tell them that it’s good for up to a week. After that, it’s best to toss it out and make more. Bonus points if you wrap a cute fall-themed ribbon around it and write the good-by date on the ribbon! Of course, this isn’t necessary. But it would be a good way to make sure they don’t forget the date while also dressing up your jar a little bit.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer FAQ
How long does homemade pumpkin creamer last?
Homemade pumpkin creamer generally lasts 5-7 days in the fridge. If you’re just putting it in a regular cup, I’d toss it out after five. If you’re putting it into an airtight, sealed jar, keeping it for seven days is totally fine. Just make sure to shake it up before you use it so all the ingredients mix together evenly.
Can you freeze pumpkin spice creamer?
You CAN freeze pumpkin spice creamer! Doing this lets you keep for up to 1-3 months depending on what kind of jar you put it into. Just know that the flavor and texture may change after you freeze it, so you could always test it out by putting it into an ice cube tray first.
Why did my creamer separate?
Homemade creamer separates because it doesn’t have the stabilizers or emulsifiers that store-bought creamer does. On top of that, dairy or dairy alternatives and syrups usually just naturally separate. This isn’t a sign that your creamer has gone bad; just give it a good shake before using it to help everything blend back together.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?
You can definitely use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree when making homemade pumpkin spice creamer, but know that it may be significantly sweeter. Pumpkin puree lets you play around the flavor and make it as sweet (or unsweet!) as you want.
Are You Making Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer This Season?
As soon as October comes around, nothing makes me as excited as all of the fall flavors that pop back up. Apple cider donuts, pumpkin pies, apple cobblers, cinnamon apples, pumpkin spice lattes all have… I get excited just thinking about it. And when I find a recipe that’s THIS easy to make (and takes less than five minutes) it’s an instant favorite.
Have you tried this pumpkin spice coffee creamer yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear how you customized it, what you thought of the flavor, and how much you loved it. And if don’t already, come hang out over on my Instagram @sierrainthecity for real-time adventures and all the fall vibes!
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